What are payday loans?

When you take out a payday loan, it’s crucial to pay the loan back by your next payday.

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By Jacqueline DeMarco

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Jacqueline DeMarco

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Jacqueline DeMarco has been a personal finance writer for over seven years and is a contributor to Credible. She has contributed content to more than a dozen financial brands, including LendingTree, Credit Karma, Fundera, Chime, MagnifyMoney, Student Loan Hero, ValuePenguin, SoFi, and Northwestern Mutual.

Edited by Meredith Mangan

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Meredith Mangan

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Meredith Mangan is a Senior Editor for Personal Finance, specializing in personal loans. Since 2011, she’s helped steer content creation in the areas of mortgages and loans, insurance, credit cards, and investing for major finance verticals, including Investopedia, Money Crashers, Credible, and The Balance Money.

Updated January 4, 2024, 9:06 AM EST

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While a payday loan may seem like a quick fix to bridge the gap between paychecks, it’s generally not advisable. Most payday loans are for small amounts ($500 or less), but ultra-high interest rates can make them hard to repay and can lead to a rapidly growing loan balance.

We’ll take a closer look at how payday loans work, what you need to look out for if you’re considering one, and alternatives.

How do payday loans work?

Payday loans are designed to cover a variety of purchases (similar to a personal loan) and usually, people seek them out for essentials like groceries or to pay important bills when they’re short on cash.

As noted earlier, payday loans tend to be for very small amounts. Most states limit payday loans to $500 or less. Even with small loan amounts, payday loans can be very difficult to repay due to short repayment terms and high fees.

Generally, borrowers repay a payday loan in a single payment (although some lenders do offer installment repayment schedules), but in some states, it is legal for lenders to “renew” or “roll over” a loan if the borrower can’t afford to make the full payment.

How to get a payday loan

When you take on a payday loan, the goal is to pay the loan back in a single payment on your next payday. However, whether or not you’re actually able to repay the loan on your next payday is not taken into account by the lender, which can lead to irresponsible lending.

One of the most common ways to repay a payday loan is with a postdated check that you give the lender when they issue the funds. The amount on the check should include the original loan balance, interest, and fees. Some lenders accept electronic payments. Be careful here — if you fail to repay the loan on time, the lender may choose to cash that postdated check or pull money out of your account anyway.

Usually, the repayment due date is two to four weeks post-loan approval, but be sure to confirm the exact due date outlined in your loan agreement.

How much do payday loans cost?

Payday loans are notoriously high-cost loans, which is why it’s best to avoid them. Many states limit fees to $10 to $30 for every $100 borrowed, which may not sound like much, but actually is, especially if you repeatedly use payday loans.

For example, if you take out a payday loan for $100 and agree to pay a $15 fee, that equates to an annual percentage rate (APR) of nearly 400%. For comparison’s sake, credit cards had an average annual interest rate of 20.68% in 2023, according to the Federal Reserve.

If you must use a payday loan, borrow the bare minimum you need to to avoid unnecessary fees.

“It's important to note that borrowing the maximum amount allowed may not be in your best financial interest due to the high fees and interest rates associated with payday loans,” Brandon Juodikis, certified financial planner and founder of BRJ Wealth Management, said.

While payday loans are a legal form of lending, they come with a lot of risks and criticisms because of their high fees, and are best to avoid whenever possible. Because of the short repayment term, payday loans can also be difficult to repay on time. As a result, some borrowers need another high-interest loan to repay the original payday loan. This cycle of debt can continue, while fees and successive loan amounts accumulate, making paying the debt harder and harder.

If you need to take out a payday loan in an emergency, it’s best to be aggressive about paying it back on time so you can avoid falling into a cycle of high-interest debt.

Alternatives to payday loans

Payday loans are a last-resort option. In many cases, there are much more affordable forms of borrowing to turn to in a pinch:

Personal loans

You can use a personal loan to cover virtually any expense, but they come with much lower interest rates and longer repayment terms that can result in smaller, more manageable payments. Look into personal loans for bad credit if your credit history has some blemishes.

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Credit cards

If you have a credit card, it’s probably a better option than a payday loan. Credit card interest rates averaged around 20% in 2023, which is far better than on a payday loan.

Family or friends

If you can borrow money from a friend or family member, this can be a free or low-cost way to avoid a payday loan. Just be careful whenever borrowing money from friends or family. Set clear repayment terms to avoid causing tension or resentment in the relationship.

Credit counseling

If your income isn’t enough to pay your expenses, find a nonprofit credit counseling organization to better understand your options. They may suggest a debt management program, for example, to help you manage other existing debts.

Government assistance

If you’re struggling to make ends meet, you may qualify for assistance paying for food, utilities, housing, and more. Visit USA.gov’s benefits portal to see what you qualify for.

FAQ

How much can you get from a payday loan?

According to Juodikis, “The amount you can borrow from a payday loan varies depending on the lender's policies, your income, and the laws and regulations in your jurisdiction. Generally, payday loans are designed to be small, short-term loans.” Many states cap payday loan amounts at $500.

What happens if you can’t repay a payday loan?

If you are unable to repay a payday loan on time, it can lead to expensive consequences, such as additional fees, calls from collections agencies, and a hit to your credit score. Some lenders let you roll over an unpaid payday loan or extend it, which can result in additional fees and make the loan harder to repay. For this reason, consider payday loan alternatives or only take out the bare minimum loan amount you need.

Why are payday loans so expensive?

Payday loans are expensive because of the steep fees associated with them. For example, payday loan lenders may charge up to $30 per $100 borrowed, depending on the lender and state. In addition to high fees, their short repayment terms can make them difficult to repay on time, which ends up costing more money.

Can I get a payday loan with bad credit?

Yes, you can often get a payday loan even with bad credit. Payday lenders typically don’t perform a credit check, but instead consider your ability to repay the loan based on your paycheck. And since you may be required to secure the loan with a postdated check, the money could be withdrawn from your account when it’s due. Payday loans often have high interest rates and fees, so consider alternatives before resorting to payday loans.

Meet the contributor:
Jacqueline DeMarco
Jacqueline DeMarco

Jacqueline DeMarco has been a personal finance writer for over seven years and is a contributor to Credible. She has contributed content to more than a dozen financial brands, including LendingTree, Credit Karma, Fundera, Chime, MagnifyMoney, Student Loan Hero, ValuePenguin, SoFi, and Northwestern Mutual.

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